As the 17-year-long legal battle in the 2008 Malegaon blast case nears its conclusion, survivors and families of victims await justice with mixed emotions hope, grief, and anxiety.
“Not Just a Trial of the Accused, But of the Victims”
Advocate Shahid Nadeem, representing the victims, reflected on the painful journey survivors endured throughout the trial. “Six people were killed, and over a hundred others were seriously injured. I believe that the trial which has happened is not only of the accused but of the victims too because they had to show their injuries in the court,” he told media.
Nadeem described how 103 victims traveled over 300 kilometers from Nashik to Mumbai, often braving extreme weather, to testify and physically show their injuries. “That time judge Padalkar was there. The accused no. 10, Swami (Sudhakar) Chaturvedi, did not agree to the injury, that even the blasts happened. So as a procedure, the victims were called and had to show their injuries. The victims showed their injured eyes, their broken hands, and gave details of where they were treated,” he added.
Heightened Security Ahead Of Judgment
Outside the Mumbai Special NIA Court, security was ramped up ahead of the verdict. Locals gathered in anticipation, many expressing cautious optimism.
“We want a fair judgment. If it supports the victims, then it’s right. But if it happens under pressure, it’s meaningless,” said a resident of Malegaon.
Another local urged the government to offer compensation to the affected families. “Innocents were killed in the 2008 blasts. We hope that the court’s verdict is in favour of the innocents so that justice is served,” the resident said.
Legal Developments
The blast, which took place on September 29, 2008, near Bhikku Chowk in Malegaon, killed six and injured 101. An explosive device strapped to a motorcycle detonated near a mosque, triggering panic and chaos.
Eleven people were initially charged, but the court eventually framed charges against seven: former MP Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, retired Major Ramesh Upadhyay, Sudhakar Chaturvedi, Ajay Rahirkar, Sameer Kulkarni, and Sudhankar Dhar Dwivedi (also known as Shankaracharya). All are currently out on bail.
The case was transferred from Maharashtra ATS to the NIA in 2011. Judge AK Lahoti concluded final arguments in April, and the verdict is scheduled to be announced today, July 31.
Defense Maintains Innocence
Meanwhile, the accused continue to assert their innocence. “The verdict will come in a little while. Truth will win,” said JP Mishra, lawyer for Sadhvi Pragya. Ranjeet Sangle, representing Dhar Dwivedi, added, “We are hopeful that all the accused will be acquitted today.”
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